Work holding and guiding apparatus



March 29, 1938. l.. E. FOX

WORK HOLDING AND GUIDING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1957 March 29, 1938. E, FOX 2,l2,768

WORK HOLDING AND GUIDING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1957 2 SheeJcS-Shee 2 Patented Mar. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to a work `holding and guiding apparatus.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,an apparatus of the class referred to for use when crochetlng to hold and guide the work during the production of the latter.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus l of the class referred to forming a crochet guide for pattern design work; a bodkin needle for threading elastics, tapes, ribbons, strings, etc., in garments, crochet work, sacks, receptacles, etc.;

a rule for measuring stitches to the inch, the

i design of a pattern designed in inches and combinations of designs when crocheting; and for detachably clamping the work during its production. Y

'I'he invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an'apparatus for the purpose referred to for use When-,crocheting to form various designsy of fringes, lace insertions, rugs, bed spreads, dresses, coats, trimmings, decorative pieces, belts, etc.

9; The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to which is comparatively sinmple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eii'icient in gli its use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to. others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more-spe- 7, cically referred toand asillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein embodimen-ts of the invention are shown, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and` modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2v when combined illustrate in plan looking towards oneface of the combined guide, holder and bodkin element of the apparatus,

Figures 3 and 4 when combined illustrate in plan looking towards the other face of the combined guide, holder and bodkin element, I

Figure 5 is ay front elevation illustrating the apparatus with thel combined guide, holder and bodkin element, forming one partr of the apparatus, assembled. relative to. the combined work abutment and clamping member, forming .the other part of the apparatus, in abutment position relative Vto the first stitch of the work held on (Cl. (i6-1) the said element and with the said member clamping the said elemen-t thereto. The said element is shown fragmentarily.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6, Figure 5, Figure '7 is a section on line 1-1 Figure 5, *o Figures 8 and 9 when combined illustrate in plan looking towards one face of a modified form of combined guide, holder and bodkin element,

Figures 10 and 11 when combined illustrate in plan looking towards the other face of the elel0 ment sho-wn by Figures 8 and 9,

Figures 12 and 13 when combined illustrate in plan looking towards the outer face of still another modied form of combined guide, holder and bodkin element, l5

Figure 14 is a fragmentary View illustrating the position of the work abutment and clamping member with respect to the combined guide, holder and bodkin element when in work clamping position, and 20 Figure 15 is a View similar to Figure 14 illustrating still another position of the-abutment and 'clamping member relative to the combined guide,

holder and bodkin element when clamping the work. 25

The apparatus includes. a combined guide, holder and bodkin element and a combined work abutment and clam-ping member. The combined guide,v holder and bodkin element will be formed from a strip of metallic material of strap-like v0 form and of the desired length, width and gauge. The combined work abutment and clam-ping member will also be formed from metallic material. The combined guide, holder and bodkin element shown in Figuresl to. 4 andv 14, 15, is gen- 35 erally indicated at 20; that shown by Figures 5,

8, 9, 10, and 1l at2|,; and that shown by Figures 12 and 13 at V22. The combined vwork abutment and clamping member is generally indicated at 23. 4.n

The element 20, 2|,. or 2.3 is to guide and hold the work while it is being produced thereon, for measuring stitches to the inch, and design of the pattern designed in inches, or combination of designs when crocheting, as well as to function L1.) asa bodkin` needle for threading purposes.

The element 20 includes an end stretch 24 provided Wth a` rectangular slot or eye 25, an intermediate stretch 26 of uniform Width throughout corresponding to that of stretch 24 anda tapered 5o end-stretch 21 of greater length than stretch 26. 'The latter is of materially greater length than that of stretch 2li.4 One face of element 20 is indicated'at 28 and its other face at 2,9'. The element 20 has one of its lengthwiseedges from 55 end to end thereof straight throughout, but has its other lengthwise edge formed of a straight portion 3| and an inclined portion 32. The edge portion 3| is on the stretches 24, 26, and the edge portion 32 is on the stretch 21. The element 20 from the point of mergence of stretch 24 with stretch 26 to near the outer end of stretch 21 is formed with a straight row of spaced openings 33 disposed parallel and in proximity to edge 30. The element 28 from the point of mergence of stretch 24 with stretch 26 to the inner portion of stretch 21 is formed with a straight row of spaced openings 34 having the major pox-,

tion of the openings of the row disposed parallel and in proximity to the edge portion 3|. The remainder of the openings 34 are disposed in proximity to the inner part of the edge portion 32. The number of the openings of the row of openings 33 is greater than that of the openings of the row of` openings 34. Each opening 34 aligns with an opening 33.

That portion of the face 28 of the stretches 26, l

21 bordering the edge 30 of element 20 is formed with a fourteen inch scale 35 graduated in inches,

eighths and quarters, extending from the stretch 24 to a point in close proximity to the outer end of stretch 21. That portion of the face 28 of the stretch 26 and the inner portion of the face 28 of the stretch 21-bo`rdering respectively the edge portion 3| and the inner part of the edge portion 32 is formed With a seven inch scale 36 graduated in inches, eighths and quarters, extending fromA the inner portion of stretch 21 to the stretch 24. The inch and quarter graduations of the scale 35 intersect diametrically the openings 33. The inch and quarter graduations of the scale 36 intersect diametrically the openings 34. The scale 35 is from left to right. The scale 36 reads from left to right. The face 29 of the element 20 is provided thereon with a fourteen inch scale 31 corresponding in form and arrangement to that of scale 35, with this exception, that it reads from right to left in lieu of from left to right. The face 29 is also formed With a seven inch scale 38 corresponding in form and arrangement to that of scale 36. The inch designators of the scale 31 are oppositely disposed with respect to the inch designators of the scale 38. The scale 31 borders the edge 3D. The scale 38 borders edge portions 3|, 32. The scales 31, 38 have one end thereof arranged at the point of mergence of stretches 24, 26.

'I'he element 2| has one of its faces designated 39, its other face at 40 and it includes an end stretch 4|, an intermediate stretch 42 and a tapered end stretch 43. The stretches 4|, 43 are substantially of the same length. The stretch 42 is of materially greater length than the stretches 4|, 43 and is of uniform width. The stretch 4| is of uniform width, corresponds to the width vof 4stretch 42 and is formed With a slot or eye 44. The element 2l has its end edge 45 squared, its other end edge 46 oppositely outwardly curved, its lengthwise edges 41, 48 straight from end edge to the point of mergence of stretch 42 With stretch 43 and is formed on its lengthwise median with a straight row of spaced aligned openings 49. The row of openings 49 extend from the point of mergence of stretches 4|, 42 to the point of mergence of the stretches 42, 43. The face 39 of element 2| is provided with a thirteen inch scale 50 graduated into eighths and quarters extending from the .point of mergence of the stretches 4| 42 to the outer end of stretch 43. The inch and quarter graduation intersect yrectangular slot or eye a. merge into each other and the latter tapers from dametrically the openings 49. The face 40 of element 2| is graduated to represent inches, quarters and eighths, as at 5| and with the inch and quarter graduations intersecting diametrically the openings 49. The graduations 5| extend from the point of mergence of stretches 4|, 42 to the outer end of stretch 43. The graduations 5| align with the graduations of the scale 50. The scale 50 and graduations 5| border the edge 48. Preferably, the Width of element 2| will be less than that of element 20.

The element 22 has one of its faces designated 52 and includes an end stretch 53, an intermediate stretch 54 and an end stretch 55. The stretches 53, 54 are of like and uniform Width, but stretch 54 is of materially greater length than stretch 53. The stretches 53, 54 merge into eachother and the former is provided With a its point of mergence to its outer end. The lengthwise edges of element 22` are indicated at 56, 51 and spaced therefrom is a straight row of spaced openings 58 Which extend from the point of mergence of stretches 53, 54 to the point of mergence of stretches 54, 55. The face 52 of element 22 is formed with a twelve inch scale 59 graduated in inches and quarters. The scale 59 extends from the point of mergence of stretches 53, 54 to the outer end of thev stretch 55. The

scale 59 borders edge 51 and the inch and quarter graduations thereof intersect diametrically the openings 58.

With respect to the scales on the several elements referred to, it is to be understood that the number of inches may be increased or reduced and the length of the element will be governed accordingly. The stretch of uniform Width of an element is for crocheting thereabout a piece of Work which is caused to be of uniform Width by the stretch. The stretch further holds the work While completing the latter, as well as not only indicating, by the scale thereon, the number of stitches as the Work progresses, but When a person has crocheted a particuar number, group or set of stitches. The statement relative to stretch of uniform width of an element applies to a tapered stretch, but the latter will permit a tapered piece of work being crocheted upon one side of a piece of Work of uniform Width.

The member 23 functions as an abutment for the rst stitch of the Work being crocheted as shown in Figure 5 or as a means for clamping a portion of the Work to the guide, holder and bodkin element While the Work is being completed when member 23 is in the position shown in Figures 14, 15. The member 23 may be selectively clamped to the element aforesaid in any one of three positions, one position as shown in Figure 5, another as shown in Figure 14 and the other as shown in Figure 15. The member 23 is so constructed as to permit it to be manipulated by the right or left hand.

The element 23 includes a pair of oppositely disposed clamping plates 60, 6|. Each plate consists of an apertured outer part 62 and an apertured inner part 63 merging into each other and with the part 62 projecting beyond one side of the part 63. The part 62 is formed With a pair of spaced aligned openings 64, 65 and an opening 66 spaced fromv and aligned with opening 65. 'Ihe part 63 is provided with a pair of spaced aligning openings 66a, 61. Anchored in the openings of plate 6| are pins 68 forl extension into the openings of plate 66. Secured to` the outer The stretches 54, 55v

side faces of the plates 60, 6| are the shanks 69, 1D which merge at their outer ends into a pair of oppositely outwardly inclined handle pieces 1 I, 12 respectively, adapted to have hand pressure applied to one or both for opening member 23 for the purposeof positioning it relative to an element 20, 2|, or 23. The handle piece 1| has formed integral with the side edges thereof the outer ends of the inner faces of a pair of inwardly extending apertured aligned ears 13, 14. These latter have their outer ends flush with the outer face of member 6|. The ears 13, 14 are arranged outwardly with respect to the Shanks 69, 10. The handle piece 12 has formed integral with its inner face a pair of inwardly aligned apertured ears 15, 16 having their outer faces flush with the side edges of member 12. The ears 15, 16 are arranged outwardly with respect to the shanks 69, 10. The ears 15, 16 are positioned against the inner faces of the ears 13, 14 respectively. The apertures in the pairs of ears align when ears 15, 16 are in the position as stated. Extending through the a1igned apertures. of the pairs of ears is a pivot 11 which has its ends upset as at 18, 19 to overlap the outer faces of the ears 13, 14 respectively. This structural arrangement pivotally connects the members 1| 12 together. Surrounding the pivot 11 between the ears 15, 16, having one end bearing against the inner face of handle piece 1|, as at 80 and its other end bearing against the inner face of handle piece 12, as at 8| is a coiled controlling spring 82 normally acting to maintain the plates 60, 6| in abutting relation.

When member 23 is to be clamped in one of its selective positions relative to an element 20, 2|, or 22, two of the pins 68 engage in two of the openings of one of the elements aforesaid and clamp it to member 23. With respect to the position of the member 23, shown in Figure 5, a pair of pins 68 extend through a pair of openings in one of said elements and into the openings 64, 65; that with respect to Figure 14 a pair of pins 68 extend through a pair of openings in one of said elements and into the openings 66a, 61;

and that with respect to Figure a pair of pins 68 extend through a pair of openings in one of said elements and intothe openings 65, 66. The member 23 is to be employed in connection with a selected pair of openings 33 or 34 of element 20, a selected pair of the openings 49 in the element 2| and a selected pair of the openings 58 in element 22.

With respect to element 20, it is numbered on the lower edge with one-eighth graduations in inches up to fourteen inches on one side and to seven inches' likewise at the top of the taper, both being numbered from the left; on the reverse side the bottom is numbered from the left one to seven toward the right, while the topis numbered from the right from one to fourteen inches. The object of this numbering and tapering of the guide is to permit the making of stitches from either end, according to pattern and design over the tapered guide to the seven inch mark, the point of taper, Where taper designs are used, and to permit making one inch taper, two inch tapers or any desired length of taper. Where the pattern or design is used on a one inch guide, or any other width guide, and the taper is not desired, the guide is taken out of the crochet work and reversed, so the tip or pointed end when reversed fills the same space back to the beginning of the taper at the seven inch mark, and it can be, with the use of two guides continued in a one inch or other width as desired; or, when the Work is tapered on the guide to point fourteen from seven another guide is placed end for end and the Work is tapered in the'reverse direction.

To make a chain of thirty-seven stitches, leave the last' stitch loose enough for the guide to slide in up to number ten on the tapered end, and the tapered edge to the top, clamp member 23 Yover this stitch to keep it from slipping off, hook in this same loop or stitch at the top edge of the guide, the loose thread at the back of the guide, hook in second chain stitch at the bottom of the guide the loose thread over the hook, pull through this second stitch and to the top edge of the guide. This will be on the front side of the guide. This leaves the loose thread at the back of the guide. Thread over hook, pull the thread through the two loops on the hook. Repeat this stitch to the end of the guide, or nineteen stitches. Take clamp oi and guide out, make one slip stitch in next chain stitch, one single crochet in the next stitch, turn guide over with the straight edge at the bottom side, slip the tapered end into this last stitch and fasten clamp in the rst hole in the guide at the end to keep from slipping off, make a stitch in each chain stitch, make seventeen more stitches over the guide or up to number ten on the guide, take clamp off and guide out, turn and make a slip stitch in the rst stitch a single crochet in the next stitch, place tapered end of the guide in this stitch, fasten clamp on, crochet in each stitch and pick up both loops in each stitch, and stop at number 10. Take clamp oi and guide out, slip the tapered end in this last stitch the guide came out of, fasten guide on and crochet over this to the end of the guide, make the next row like the rst row.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined work guide and holder element upon which the work is crocheted, said element being provided with conventional means to constitute an indicat ing scale formed of spaced graduations, a clamping member for selective disposing in work abutting and clamping positions with relation to said element, said element being formed with a row of spaced openings, and said member including means coacting with selected openings of said row for releasably connecting said element and member together and for retaining said member in its selected position.

2. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined Work guide and holder element upon which the work is crocheted, said element being provided ,l with conventional means to constitute an indicating scale formed of spaced graduations, and a clamping member for selective disposing in work abutting and clamping positions with relation to said element, said element being of strap-like form and provided with a tapered part and a part of uniform width merging at one end into one end of the tapered part.

3. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined work guide and holder element upon which the work is crocheted, said element being provided with conventional means to constitute an indicating scale formed of spaced graduations, a clamping member for selective disposing in work abutting and clamping positions with relation to said element, said element being of strap-like form and provided with a tapered part and a part of uniform width merging at one end into one end of the tapered part, and said element and member having coacting interengaging parts for releasably connecting them together and retaining said member in its selected position.

4. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined work guide and holder element upon which the Work is crocheted, said element being provided with conventional means to constitute an indicating scale formed of spaced graduations, a clamping member for selective disposing in work abutting and clamping positions with relation to said element, said element being of strap-like form and provided with a tapered part and a part of uniform width merging at one end into one end of the tapered part, said element and member having coacting interengaging parts for releasably connecting them together and retaining said member in its selected position, said element being formed with a row of spaced openings, and said member including means coacting with selected openings of said row for releasably connecting said element and member together and for retaining said member in its selected position.

5. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined work guide and holder element upon which the work is crocheted, said elementl being provided with conventional means to constitute an indieating scale formed of spaced graduations, a clamping member for selective disposing in work abutting and clamping positions with relation to said element, said element being of strap-like form and provided with a tapered part and a part of uniform width merging at one end into one end of the tapered part, and said part of Auniform Width being formed with an eye at its other end.

6. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined work guide, holder and bodkin element consisting of a strap-like body upon which the work is crocheted, said body being provided on and length- Wise of one face thereof with conventional means to constitute an indicating scale formed of spaced graduations, said body being formed with a lengthwise row of spaced openings aligning with certain of said graduations, and said body having a tapered part and a part of uniform thickness merging at one end into one end of said tapered part. v

7. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined work guide, holder and bodkin element consisting of a strap-like body upon which the work is crocheted, said body being provided on and lengthwise of one face thereof with conventional means to constitute an indicating scale formed of spaced graduations, said body being formed with a lengthwise row of spaced openings aligning with certain of said graduations, and said body having a tapered part and a part of uniform thickness merging at one end into one end of said tapered part and having its other end formed with an eye.

8. In an apparatus for crocheting', a combined work guide, holder and bodkin element consisting of a strap-like body uponV which the work is crocheted, said body being provided on and lengthwise of one face thereof with conventional means to constitute a pair of indicating scales, one of greater length than the other and each in the form of spaced graduations, and said body being formed with a pair of spaced rows of spaced openings, one row being of greater length than the others, the openings of the row of shortest length aligning with openings of the other row, the openings of the shortest row aligning with certain of the graduations of the scale of shortest length and the openings of the other row aligning with certain of the graduations of the scale of greatest length.

9. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined work guide and holder and bodkin element consisting of a strap-like body upon which the work is crocheted, said body being provided on and lengthwise of one face thereof with conventional means to constitute a pair of indicating scales, one of greater length than the other and each in the form of spaced graduations, said body being formed with a pair of spaced rows of spaced openings, one row being of greater length than the others, the openings of the row of shortest length aligning with openings of the other row, the openings of the shortest row aligning with certain of the graduations of the scale of shortest length and the openings of the other row aligning with certain of the graduations of the scale of greatest length, and said body having a tapered part and a part of uniform thickness merging at one end into one end of said tapered part.

v 10. In an apparatus for crocheting, a combined work guide and holder and bodkin element consisting of a strap-like body upon which the work is crocheted, said body being provided on and lengthwise of one face thereof with conventional means'to constitute a pair of indicating scales, one of greater length than the other and each in the form of spaced graduations, said body being formed with a pair of spaced rows of spaced openings, one row being of greater length than the others, the openings of the row of shortest length aligning with openings of the other row, the openings of the shortest row aligning with certain of the graduations of the scale of shortest length and the openings of the other row aligning with certain of the graduations of the scale of greatest length, and said body having a tapered part and a part of uniform thickness merging at one end into one end of said tapered part and having its other end formed with an eye.

LENA E. FOX. 

